Zanies Comedy Night Club — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

TLDR: Extremely disappointing experience at Zanies on 5/30, unprofessional and disrespectful treatment from both a staff member and the manager. Poor customer service included being separated from our group despite having VIP tickets, being yelled at when asking for clarification, and a dismissive response from management. Issue wasn’t the seating policy itself, but the lack of professionalism and respect when communicating. We left feeling unwelcome and disrespected.

Full review:

I’m writing this review to share an extremely disappointing experience I had at Zanies during the 9:15 pm show on Friday, 5/30. As someone who has been to Zanies many, many times before and generally had positive visits, this particular night stands out as the most unprofessional and disrespectful customer service I’ve received to date.

Our group of four had VIP tickets and arrived just a few minutes before the show began. After checking in, we were directed to follow an employee who appeared to be in charge of seating. However, instead of guiding us to our seats, he abruptly walked away without saying anything, leaving us standing at the edge of the seating area, confused. When he returned, he informed us, without much explanation, that we could not sit together. We tried to clarify that we had VIP seats and his response was unexpectedly aggressive; he raised his voice and told us if we had a problem with that, we should speak to the manager in the lobby.

Shaken by being yelled at for asking a reasonable question, we followed up with the manager, expecting a more constructive conversation. Unfortunately, the manager approached the situation with the same defensive and unprofessional tone. Rather than helping de-escalate the matter, he also continued to raise his voice, delivered vague explanations about the first-come, first-served policy, and seemed unwilling to acknowledge our concerns about how we were being spoken to. The exchange ended with an awkward, silent stare-down that left all of us all stunned and uncomfortable. Whether it was meant to be an intimidation tactic or not, it was extremely awkward and it completely killed our energy going into the show.

After reflecting on the experience, here are a few thoughts I feel are important to share:

I’ve been to Zanies many times and never experienced anything like this. I usually come with my husband, but that night I was with girlfriends - maybe that played a role in the way we were treated. Everyone has off days, but there’s no excuse for being openly disrespectful to paying customers. The manager’s response to the situation was very surprising - not only did he fail to address the situation professionally, he seemed to enable the dismissive behavior of the staff member who initially mishandled the entire exchange. We also mentioned to the manager that I was 8 months pregnant and would appreciate a seat with easier access to the restroom, to which he responded in a dismissive tone. I’ve seen flexibility offered in the past to other groups regarding VIP seating. I recall 2 instances where my husband and I asked to switch to a different table in VIP for a better view and were told that we couldn't because they were expecting larger groups. It is interesting that the same accommodations were not available to us. As regulars at comedy clubs, we understand policies like first-come, first-served. But the core issue was not seating, it was the complete lack of professionalism in how the situation was handled. It's also worth noting that the Zaines website specifies this policy for General Admission, with no mention of it applying to VIP tickets - this feels misleading (see photo attached). People come to Zanies to enjoy a show and support the performers more than the business itself. However, it is reasonable to expect that the staff and management uphold a basic level of respect for their guests.

I’m writing this in hopes that someone in management will care enough to take this feedback seriously and do better by...

h, Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville — the real thing

In Nashville, Tennessee, there is a heavy door waiting at 2025 8th Avenue South—and crossing it is like stepping through the threshold of collective delirium. This isn’t just a venue; it’s a tight, charged chamber where wisdom tumbles out in punchlines and courage laughs back at timing. 

The place seats roughly 300 souls in the main showroom, an intimate press of bodies leaning in, faces lit by a stage that’s seen the likes of Jay Leno, Lewis Black, and a cavalcade of touring stars. It’s been a pillar of Nashville’s humor landscape since 1983.   

You don’t just hear jokes here—you feel them pulsating in the air, snapping like electric current off the mic. The pathways are purposely narrow. The ceilings droop like applause might hit them. Staff collect phones in Yondr pouches—so the laughter belongs entirely to the moment, not the feed.  

There’s a second space next door—The Lab at Zanies—opened in spring 2024. An even cozier stage, just 100 seats, hosting up‑and‑comers and experimental sets of new material. 

Expect rules: You have to be 18 to enter, 21 to drink. A two‑item minimum is strictly enforced—food or drink counts. Doors usually open around 6 PM, with shows starting around 7:00 PM on weeknights, and multiple seatings on weekends. 

There’s free parking behind the club and across the street, though not everywhere nearby is harmless to your car—some lots tow. 

⸻

A Faulkner‑style reverie on Zanies in Nashville

Here, in that low-lit hollow on 8th Avenue South, the hush before the show gathers like dusk before thunder: so dim, so dense it tastes like anticipation. Chairs squeak. The air smells of spilled beer and freshly cracked jokes. It is not polished—it is alive. Immortal.

You come carrying the world. You leave carrying laughter heavier than the world. When the comedian steps into the light, words crack open like shells, exposing something unguarded. The laughs are not polite—they break through you like floodwaters, and they echo in your bones long after you leave.

Zanies does not promise safety. It promises rupture. It dares you to sit with strangers and empathize in unison. To feel riotous surprise. To swallow and exhale relief. To realize that in a city pulsing with country legends and honky‑tonk dreams, there’s also a sanctuary for those who wield truth as comedy.

You might forget the streets of Nashville outside. You might lose all sense of time. Because stories shared in that dim room—personal, raw, unfiltered—linger. Zanies is not just a club. It is a living sermon on laughter, on collective release, on how we heal hard places with memory and wit and the shared gasp before...

I must say, it was an experience worth every penny and every laugh. I've been to comedy clubs before, but Zanies stands out as one of the best!

🎤 Top-Notch Performances: From well-known comedians to rising stars, the quality of comedy is simply superb. I had the joy of watching Kevin James Thornton and was blown away. The atmosphere is electric, and you can sense the legacy of great comedians who've graced the stage before.

👫 Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you're on a date night, hanging out with friends, or treating your family to some humor, this place suits all. The seats might be close together, but the closeness adds to the ambiance. Everyone is there for a good laugh, and it feels like a communal experience.

📵 In-the-Moment Experience: They make sure your phones are securely locked away in a magnetic bag so you can truly be present for the comedy. While this may be inconvenient for emergencies, it really helps you focus on the show.

🍔 Menu & Service: Though it's mandatory to order at least two items from the menu, you won't be disappointed. Prices are reasonable and the food quality is better than your typical comedy club grub. I personally loved the crispy fries and the drinks were excellent. Also, the 18% gratuity that gets automatically added ensures the hardworking staff are rewarded for their excellent service.

🅿️ Convenient Parking: The free parking is a bonus and often you'll find spots in the lot or on the street, making it that much easier to simply enjoy your evening.

👍 Customer Service: The staff are exceptionally friendly, efficient, and accommodating—even for someone with mobility issues like myself.

🔄 Rotating Talent: They frequently update their line-up, so you're guaranteed a different experience every time you visit. I've heard excellent reviews about comedians like Michele Rider and Nephew Tommy, and I can't wait to see them perform next!

🚫 Note on Policies: Just remember, no phones or photography is allowed inside, and you need to get there early for better seats as they don't allow seat reservations.

To sum it up, Zanies offers an unbeatable combination of great comedy, atmosphere, food, and service. I will definitely be coming back, and if you're looking for a top-tier comedy experience, Zanies is the place...